Masterson open to shorter-term deal

2 years ago

(GOODYEAR, Ariz.) – Indians right-hander Justin Masterson is open to signing a shorter-term deal to stay in Cleveland, just ask him.

Masterson spoke with reporters on Wednesday at the Tribe’s player development complex and was open to the fact that he’d be willing to sign a shorter contract in order stay with the Indians.

The fact that Masterson is willing to sign a three or four-year deal was first reported by Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com and confirmed through multiple reports on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

Up until these recent developments it was unclear if Masterson would stay with the Tribe. Although he and the Indians avoided arbitration on Feb. 18 signing a one-year deal worth $9.8 million, it was believed that the Indians right-hander may look at trying to get a similar contract as Cincinnati Reds right-hander Homer Bailey who agreed to a six-year deal worth $105 million.

Last season Masterson went 14-10 with a 3.45 ERA in 32 appearances.

Signing players to longer-term deals after avoiding salary arbitration with one-year contracts is not unfamiliar for the Indians. In 2011 the Tribe avoided arbitration with shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera signing him to a one-year deal, but then signed him to a three-year deal in April at the beginning of the season.